2014 State Tax Cut Roundup

State Tax Cut Roundup
2014 Legislative Session

December 2014
State Tax Cut Roundup

2014 Legislative Session
About the American Legislative Exchange Council
The 2014 State Tax Cut Roundup was published by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) as part of its mission to discuss, develop,
and disseminate model public policies that expand free markets, promote economic growth, limit the size of government, and preserve
individual liberty. ALEC is the nations largest non-partisan, voluntary membership organization of state legislators, with more than 2,000
members across the nation. ALEC is governed by a Board of Directors of state legislators. ALEC is classified by the Internal Revenue Service as a
501(c)(3) nonprofit, public policy and educational organization. Individuals, philanthropic foundations, businesses, and associations are eligible
to support ALECs work through tax-deductible gifts.
About the ALEC Center for State Fiscal Reform

The ALEC Center for State Fiscal Reform strives to educate those who share a commitment to our principles and shared goals. We also strive to
educate our legislative members on how to achieve greater economic prosperity by outlining which policies work and which ones fail. This is
done by personalized research, policy briefings in the states, and by releasing nonpartisan policy publications for distribution such as Rich
States, Poor States, The Unseen Costs of Tax Cronyism: Favoritism and Foregone Growth, Tax Myths Debunked, Keeping the Promise: State
Solutions for Government Pension Reform, and the State Budget Reform Toolkit.
Managing Editors:
Contributing Authors:
Jonathan Williams
Director, Center for State Fiscal Reform
Senior Task Force Director, Tax and Fiscal Policy
American Legislative Exchange Council
William Freeland
Research Analyst, Center for State Fiscal Reform
Ben Wilterdink
Theodore Lafferty
Legal Research Analyst, Center for State Fiscal Reform
Kati Siconolfi
Legislative Manager, Center for State Fiscal Reform
Jonathan Williams
Director, Center for State Fiscal Reform
Senior Task Force Director, Tax and Fiscal Policy
Ben Wilterdink
Acknowledgements and Disclaimers

The authors wish to thank Lisa Nelson, Michael Bowman, Bill Meierling, Molly Fuhs, Jordan Conrad, Ashley Varner, Dita Aisyah, Jonathan Her,
Jonothan Hauenschild and the professional staff at ALEC for their valuable assistance with this project.
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or
distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system without the prior permission of the publisher. The
copyright to this work is held by the American Legislative Exchange Council. This study may not be duplicated or distributed in any form without
the permission of the American Legislative Exchange Council and with proper attribution.
Contact Information:
2900 Crystal Drive, Suite 600
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Tel: 703.373.0933
Fax: 703.373.0927
www.alec.org
Tax Reform in the States

The 2014 legislative session is coming to a close and a notable number of states have made significant
changes to their tax codes. Pro-growth tax reform was a key theme throughout the 2014 legislative
session. In this past legislative session, 14 states made significant pro-growth tax changes. The 7th
edition of Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index is a great guide to
which tax and fiscal policies lead states to prosper and others to fall behind. Overall, the economic
evidence strongly suggests that states with lower tax burdens and more economic freedom regularly
outperform their higher tax and more restrictive counterparts.
Creating a tax and fiscal policy climate that is conducive to economic growth should be a top priority for
every state. Hopefully, the example set by these reforms, and their economic results over time, will
persuade other states to pursue pro-growth tax reform in the coming legislative session.
To be listed in the ALEC State Tax Cut Roundup, a state must meet all of the following criteria:
Substantially cut taxes at the state level

Vote(s) occurred during the 2014 legislative session
Tax cuts must result in a net decrease in taxes over the legislative session
Tax cuts must apply broadly and neutrally, or otherwise conforms the state closer to ALECs
Principles of Sound Tax Policy
Principles of Sound Tax Policy

The proper function of taxation is to raise money for core functions of government, not to direct the
behavior of citizens or close budget gaps created by overspending. This is true regardless of whether
government is big or small, and this is true for lawmakers at all levels of government.
Taxation will always impose some level of burden on an economys performance, but that harm can be
minimized if policymakers resist the temptation to use the tax code for social engineering, class warfare
and other extraneous purposes. A principled tax system is an ideal way to advance a states economic
interests and promote prosperity for its residents.
The fundamental principles presented here provide guidance for a neutral and effective tax system; one
that raises needed revenue for core functions of government, while minimizing the burden on citizens.
Simplicity:
The tax code should be easy for the average citizen to understand, and it should minimize the cost of
complying with tax laws. Tax complexity adds cost to the taxpayer, but does not increase public
revenue. For governments, the tax system should be easy to administer, and should help promote
efficient, low-cost administration.
Transparency:
Tax systems should be accountable to citizens. Taxes and tax policy should be visible and not hidden
from taxpayers. Changes in tax policy should be highly publicized and open to public debate.
Economic Neutrality:
The purpose of the tax system is to raise needed revenue for core functions of government, not control
the lives of citizens or micromanage the economy. The tax system should exert minimal impact on the
spending and decisions of individuals and businesses. An effective tax system should be broad-based,
utilize a low overall tax rate with few loopholes, and avoid multiple layers of taxation through tax
pyramiding.
Equity and Fairness:
The government should not use the tax system to pick winners and losers in society, or unfairly shift the
tax burden onto one class of citizens. The tax system should not be used to punish success or to soak
the rich, engage in discriminatory or multiple taxation, nor should it be used to bestow special favors
on any particular group of taxpayers.
Complimentary:
The tax code should help maintain a healthy relationship between the state and local governments. The
state should always be mindful of how its tax decisions affect local governments so they are not working
against each other with the taxpayer caught in the middle.
Reliability:
A high-quality tax system should be stable, providing certainty in taxation and in revenue flows. It should
provide certainty of financial planning for individuals and businesses.
Pro-Growth:
A low tax burden can be a tool for a states private sector economic development by retaining and
attracting productive business activity. A high-quality revenue system will be responsive to competition
from other states. Effective competitiveness is best achieved through economically neutral tax policies.
These Principles of Sound Tax Policy have been adopted by the ALEC Task Force on Tax and Fiscal Policy.
1
Tax Cuts by State

The Rich States, Poor States Economic Outlook Ranking is a forward-looking measure based on a states
standing in the equally weighted average of 15 important state policy variables. These variables include
tax policy, regulatory policy, and labor policy. Data reflects state and local rates and revenues and any
effect of federal deductibility. (1=Best, 50=Worst)2
Arizona
Rich States, Poor States 2014 Economic Outlook Ranking: 7
The 2014 legislative session resulted in several good tax policy changes in Arizona. First, the legislature
passed a measure that exempts the purchase of electricity or natural gas from the state sales tax for
manufacturers and smelters.3 Exempting business inputs, such as energy costs, from taxation is an
important piece of sound tax policy. Exempting business inputs from taxation prevents additional layers
of taxes from being added on at every level of production, a practice economists refer to as tax
pyramiding. A study done by the Council on State Taxation (COST) has demonstrated that by
eliminating the tax burden on business inputs, consumers only pay the true cost of the sales tax once, at
the point of sale, rather than paying hidden costs that result from tax pyramiding when goods in the
chain of production are taxed in addition to the final consumer product.4
State leaders in Arizona also passed another measure that requires a one-time inflation adjustment to
the states five income tax brackets. While it would be ideal to permanently index income tax brackets
to inflation, any adjustment that factors in the very real burden of inflation to taxes is a welcome policy
change.5
Florida
In 2014, Florida passed legislation reducing motor vehicle license renewal fees. Drivers will save
between $20 and $25 each and around $395 million in total annually.6 Though the cut does not change
economic incentives in a pro-growth fashion, it puts more money in the pockets of Florida citizens.
Moreover, since the revenue the so-called fee generated largely went to the states general revenue
pool and not to fund specific government activities directly related to the levy of the fee, the fee is
better considered as a general tax. As such, Florida deserves credit for lowering a tax faced by almost all
Floridians, given the prevalence of driving in the state.
Indiana
Indiana passed a substantial reform legislation to lower the states business personal property tax and
the states corporate business tax. Business personal property taxes are taxes on business capital, such
as machinery and other equipment, while corporate income taxes are levied on corporate profits. All
told, the legislation is expected to save Indiana job creators $185 million per year once the bill is fully
implemented.7
The tax cut package will lower the corporate rate down to 4.9 percent by the end of the phase-in, and
offers new exemptions for the business personal property tax directed at lowering the burden of the tax
on businesses. Both taxes harm business and their employeescorporate by taxing the productive
activities of business and business personal property tax by taxing business investment capital. The
result of both taxes is to reduce the incentive for business expansion and hiring. Indianas reduction in
both taxes amounts to a substantial improvement in economic competitiveness and the state remains
on the right track as they consider additional tax reforms in the coming legislative session.8
Kansas
Ever since a major tax overhaul in 2012, Kansas has been synonymous with fundamental tax reform. The
2014 legislative session is no exception to this excellent record. This time homebuyers were the
recipients of a tax relief measure that phases out the states mortgage registration fees. The measure
will gradually phase-out the mortgage registration fees over the next five years. Once the measure is
fully phased in, taxpayers in some counties are estimated to save about $2 million to $3.7 million.9 This
means that homebuyers that borrow money to buy a house will no longer be penalized for that decision
through specific taxation. Like Floridas reduction in vehicle license renewal fees, Kansas deserves credit
for reducing a fee for which the revenues fund general purposes of government rather than specific
government activities related to the fee.
Maryland
After years of tax increases, Maryland took steps in 2014 to improve their estate tax by passing
legislation that gradually increases the taxs general exemption from $1 million in assets up to match the
federal exemption, which is currently $5.34 million and indexed to increase with inflation.10 Although
Maryland policymakers would have done better for their citizens by following in the footsteps of
Indiana, Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma and Tennessee, which have all ended their estate taxes
in recent years, the step is still quite important for Maryland citizens.
As we have noted in our research and analysis, estate taxes are antiquated taxes associated with huge
costs and bad incentives, taking in almost no revenue, and without rational justification.11 The
exemption will reach full parity with the federal exemption by 2019, when the federal exemption is
projected to be $5.9 million.
Michigan
Michigan took major steps to improve its tax policy environment for small business in 2014 by reforming
the states business personal property tax. Business personal property taxes are levied on business
capital, such as machinery and other equipment. Given that these taxes fall on the value of business
capital, they deter business investment into machines and equipment that improve business
productivity. As such, business personal property taxes are a major drag on economic growth.
Michigan began the process of phasing out this harmful tax in 2012, but took additional measures in
2014 to improve and accelerate that phase-out, as well as to address concerns with local government
revenue shortfalls created by the phase-out.12 The legislation was first voted on the state legislature and
then went to a general ballot referendum vote in the August 5th election. Voters approved the measure,
certified as proposal 1, by a 69 percent to 31 percent margin.13 The legislation creates new exemptions
for business personal property, along with other tweaks to the business personal property tax code. All
told, the net effect of the legislation is a tax cut worth $500 million for Michigan small businesses.14
Given that business capital investment generally allows businesses to improve their bottom lines while
hiring more workers and/or improving worker wages, the reforms are a major pro-growth step. Coming
on the heels of previous business personal property tax cuts, the repeal of the harmful Michigan
Business Tax, and the passage of right-to-work legislation, Michigan continues its recent trend of progrowth public policy reforms.
Minnesota
After major tax hikes in 2013, Minnesota passed several pro-growth tax changes in the 2014 legislative
session. These include the repeal of three business taxes: one on the repair of electronic, farm, and
commercial equipment; one on warehousing and storage; and one on telecommunications equipment.
Some of the key provisions are eliminating the marriage penalty, eliminating business-to-business taxes,
eliminating the gift tax, and raising the threshold for the estate tax from $1 million to $2 million.15
Overall, the tax cuts are estimated to save Minnesotans a total $443 million in the 2014-2015 fiscal year
and $956 million in the 2015-2016 fiscal year.16 However, it should be noted that these tax cuts follow
$2.1 billion in tax hikes enacted during the 2013 legislative session.17 Minnesota would do well to
continue cutting taxes to get back to where they were prior to the tax hikes and become more
competitive in a region where the competition for jobs, people and capital is particularly fierce.
Missouri
A tax cut proposal that almost landed Missouri a spot in the 2013 State Tax Cut Roundup made a
comeback in the 2014 legislative session. An income tax measure was passed by the Missouri Legislature
in 2013 but was vetoed by Governor Jay Nixon. That veto was sustained by a narrow margin during the
2013 veto override session. Undaunted, proponents of pro-growth tax reform revised the 2013 proposal
and re-introduced a similar measure this legislative session. The tax cut measure was again vetoed by
Governor Nixon, but this time, the Legislature was able to override the veto.
For the first time in nearly 100 years, Missourians will enjoy a broad based income tax cut. The measure
gradually phases down the states income tax rate from the current 6 percent down to 5.5 percent over
the next several years. It also includes a phased-in provision that allows pass-through businesses to
deduct up to 25 percent of their non-wage income from taxation, similar, although less generous, to
what Kansas had passed in 2012. Overall the tax cut will result in $620 million remaining with
Missourians once it is fully phased-in.18
However, there are a few important caveats to an otherwise very positive tax change. First, the tax cuts
will not begin until 2017 and will not be fully phased-in until 2022. Also, the tax cuts will not take effect
unless aggressive revenue targets are met. The revenue required to trigger a tax cut is $150 million
more than the highest point in the last three years.19 Even with these tough requirements, a tax cut that
keeps more money in the pockets of Missouri citizens and businesses is a strong step in the right
direction.
Nebraska
For the second consecutive year, Nebraska has made pro-growth changes to its tax code that make the
state more competitive while also setting the stage for much more comprehensive reform. The 2014
legislative session concluded with the passage of a measure indexing income tax brackets to inflation,
ensuring that Nebraskans will not pay a higher amount in real dollars due to inflation.20 Another progrowth tax change was the exemption of repair and replacement of agricultural equipment from sales
taxes.21 These tax cuts, in addition to a few other small changes, add up to about $412 million in income,
property, and sales tax cuts over the next five years.22
Both of these changes were recommended by the states Tax Modernization Committee, which released
findings late last year. The same commission estimated that Nebraska could accommodate as much as
$500 million in tax relief over the next three years.23 These estimates and the past couple years of
cleaning up the tax code puts Nebraska in a perfect spot to tackle more fundamental tax reform in the
near future.
New York
For years, New York has lost income and businesses to other states, as former New Yorkers leave in
search of much needed tax relief. In fact, in the most recent edition of Rich States, Poor States, New
York ranked dead last. However, the Empire State enacted pro-growth corporate tax reform measures
as a part of this year's budget. For example, the four brackets in the corporate tax structure are reduced
to three, and then finally two over time. The corporate tax rate drops from 7.1 percent to 6.5 percent.24
The budget also eliminates the state's onerous individual add on minimum tax. The estate tax
exemption will recouple with the federal level estate tax over time, and the generation skipping transfer
tax is also eliminated.25 This years budget also included a property tax freeze credit that reimburses
qualifying New York homeowners for increases in local property taxes for the next two years. In order
for New York homeowners to qualify, schools and municipalities must develop a plan to cut the property
tax levy, and also stay within the property tax cap.26 While there were some anti-growth measures in the
budget, these pro-growth reforms represent positive steps towards a more competitive tax code in New
York and the significance of these bold reforms in the state of New York should not be overlooked.
Ohio
Ohio continued their streak of pro-growth tax reform in the 2014 legislative session by accelerating the
scheduled income tax rate cut for all brackets from what would have been a 9 percent cut in 2014 to a
10 percent cut in 2014. They had previously scheduled for the 10 percent rate cut to occur in 2015. Their
top marginal rate is now 5.33 percent. Additionally, for tax year 2014, the personal income tax
deduction on small business income in Ohio will be increased to 75 percent of the first $250,000 in net
business income. (Under current law, the deduction does not affect the school district income tax
base).27
Oklahoma
Oklahoma was the only state to make it into the 2013 Tax Cut Roundup based on the passage of income
tax cuts only to be later removed due to a state supreme court decision. The court ruled that a tax
measure reducing the states personal income tax was void because the same bill also included
provisions to repair the state capitol which violated the states single subject rule on legislation.28
Despite this setback, Oklahoma leaders came together to pass a similar personal income tax cut package
in the 2014 legislative session. The measure will reduce Oklahomas top income tax rate from its current
5.25 percent down to 5 percent as early as 2016 if certain revenue triggers are met. Once the rate is at 5
percent, another round of revenue triggers are set to reduce the top tax rate further to 4.85 percent.
Once fully phased-in, these changes are expected to save taxpayers about $250 million each year, which
is estimated to translate to a savings of $135 per year for each taxpayer.29
10
Rhode Island
After years of having significantly higher taxes than the national average, Rhode Island is proving that it
should not be counted out in the competition for economic growth. The Ocean State passed a pair of
pro-growth tax reform proposals that will significantly improve its economic outlook. One measure was
an increase of the exemption for the states estate tax. The exemption was increased to $1.5 million
from its current $922,000, giving families and small businesses filing through the personal income tax
code a break from this onerous tax. This measure is estimated to save taxpayers up to $18 million by the
2015-2016 budget year when it is fully phased-in.30
Rhode Island also enacted a corporate income tax cut. The rate will drop to 7 percent from its current 9
percent rate. Despite this pro-growth change, the corporate income tax cut also includes implementing
combined reporting requirements. Meaning corporations will now have to report taxable income to
Rhode Island from all subsidiaries or affiliated businesses under common ownership, which will
significantly raise the tax bill of some Rhode Island businesses.31
Wisconsin
Wisconsin began the 2014 legislative session with a significant budget surplus of $911 million. This
surplus funded a major tax relief package that substantially reduced several of the states taxes to the
tune of $800 million. These include a $406 million cut in property taxes, a $98.6 million cut in income
taxes, and a $322.6 million adjustment to state income tax withholding. The property tax cut is more
than four times larger than Wisconsins previous property tax cut and would reduce the typical
homeowner's bill by $101.32 The income tax cut reduced the state's lowest income tax bracket from 4.4
percent to 4 percent and are estimated to save a family earning $40,000 per year about $58 while the
changes to withholding are estimated to save the average taxpayer about $520 for the year 2014. These
reforms come as a complement to significant tax cuts in 2013 and add to a total tax reduction of about
$2 billion since Governor Scott Walker took office.33
Trends in State Tax Reform

After experiencing some of the most fundamental state level tax reforms in the 2013 legislative session,
it was no surprise that 2014s state level tax reforms were slightly more modest. However, we still saw
significant tax reform in the 2014 legislative session and many of the states that made this years
roundup were states where tax reform was not expected.
One major state tax trend this legislative session was a mixture of both traditionally blue and red states
cutting their taxes and improving their tax codes. Indeed, the 2014 tax changes in the states were a
particularly bipartisan effort. This is evident from a number of traditionally blue-leaning states cutting
corporate income taxes and raising exemptions for estate taxes.
11
New York, the state that ranked dead last in the most recent edition of Rich States, Poor States: ALECLaffer State Economic Competitiveness Index, and Rhode Island are two states that successfully cut
corporate income tax rates in 2014. New York reduced its corporate income tax for 2015 to 6.5 percent
from the previous 7.1 percent.34 Rhode Island reduced its corporate income tax rate to 7 percent from 9
percent, although the reduction included switching to a combined reporting method of tax collection
that could result in some Rhode Island companies paying higher tax bills.35 While their corporate income
tax rates still remain some of the highest in the nation, the realities of increasingly mobile capital and
businesses seem to be sinking in.
12
These corporate tax reductions come on the heels of corporate income tax rate cuts in 2013. North
Carolina, as part of a much larger tax code overhaul, lowered its corporate income tax rate from 6.9
percent to 6 percent in 2014, 5 percent in 2015, with the possibility of the rate dropping to 4 percent in
2016 and 3 percent in 2017 if certain revenue targets are achieved. Texas, which does not levy a
corporate income tax on businesses, but instead utilizes the more economically damaging margin tax,
lowered the amount that state businesses must pay in the 2013 legislative session by raising the
deduction for businesses paying the margin tax to $1 million in revenue. The result was a cut of more
than $1 billion in taxes for state businesses. New Mexico was another highlight of the 2013 Tax Cut
Roundup. Republican Governor Susana Martinez reached a deal with the states Democratic legislature
to reduce the states corporate income tax to 5.9 percent from 7.6 percent.36
Corporate income taxes are an extremely important piece of state tax policy. A recent report from the
Council on State Taxation noted that in FY2013 more than $53.3 billion was collected in state and local
corporate income taxes.37 The tax burden on businesses can make or break new and growing
businesses, affecting their success and location. As noted in the chart above, from 2003 to 2013 the
eight states with the lowest corporate income taxes experienced a cumulative job growth rate of 12.1
percent, more than double the 5.1 percent experienced by the eight states with the highest corporate
income taxes over the same time period. This trend continues in the categories of net domestic
migration, gross state product growth, and growth in personal income.38
Another interesting trend from the 2014 legislative session was a substantial number of states reducing
the burden of their estate or inheritance taxes. Here again, New York and Rhode Island enacted reforms
to reduce their estate taxes. They were joined by Maryland and may also be joined by New Jersey in the
very near future. New York is phasing in a recoupling of the states estate tax exemption to the federal
exemption which is currently at $5.34 million (indexed to inflation) by 2019 and immediately raising the
exemption from the current $1 million to $2 million.39 Rhode Island raised its estate tax exemption from
$922,000 to $ 1.5 million beginning at the end of calendar year 2014. It will also only tax estate income
above $1.5 million, eliminating the cliff where the tax is levied on the entire estate once the income
exemption is met or exceeded.40
Maryland is also raising its estate tax exemption over time to match the federal exemption. The
exemption will rise from its current $1 million to $1.5 million in 2015 and continue to gradually rise until
it is matched with the federal exemption by 2019.41 Ongoing budget discussions in New Jersey also show
a likely chance of achieving an increased estate tax exemption. While it remains unclear which plan, if
any, will ultimately be enacted, almost all the plans will raise New Jerseys estate tax exemption higher
than its current $675,000 threshold.42
Estate and inheritance taxes, also known as death taxes, are among the most economically damaging of
taxes. More than half of businesses in the United States are pass-through entities, meaning they file
taxes under the personal income tax code.43 Most of these pass through entities are small businesses.
This means that many family businesses are subject to paying state death taxes. These estates are taxed
on the value of assets, including equipment, machinery, and land. This is especially an issue for family
farms that might have a large value in terms of assets, namely land, but are taxed as if they are
completely liquid. This leads to many family businesses being broken up because of their death tax bill.
13
Additionally, the amount of revenue that state death taxes typically bring in is extremely low. As the
chart below demonstrates, Pennsylvania is the state that raises the most revenue from its estate tax and
it only accounts for 2.4 percent of the total state revenue.44
Rather than taxing estates that have already been taxed at some point (and occasionally at a few points)
states should focus on creating a tax policy environment that promotes economic growth.
The Impact of Taxes on Economic Growth

Creating a tax and fiscal policy climate that is conducive to economic growth ensures that the economic
pie is growing for everyone. People, businesses, and even government revenues benefit when people
are free to save and invest more of their money. Taxes fundamentally create a barrier between work
and reward, and while tax revenue is needed to fund the core functions of government, the tax system
should burden people and businesses as little as possible.
But not all taxes are equally damaging to the economy. According to the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD)45, taxes on capital and income are the most economically
damaging, while taxes on consumption and property are less economically damaging. The economic
history of tax systems in the states is a helpful guide for states striving to achieve a higher level of
economic growth. States that rely primarily on income taxes routinely underperform their counterparts
who choose not to levy taxes on personal income.
14
As shown above, the nine states that do not levy a personal income tax experienced a cumulative job
growth rate of 9.9 percent from 2003 to 2013 while the nine states with the highest personal income tax
rates experienced less than half of that at just 4.3 percent over the same time period. The no income tax
states also experienced much better rates of net domestic migration, personal income growth, and
gross state product growth than their high tax counterparts.46
Another example of this disparity is the shocking divide in personal income growth among the four
largest US states. By population, California, Texas, New York, and Florida are the four largest states and
account for about one third of the entire United States population. Both Texas and Florida choose not to
tax personal income whatsoever, while California and New York have the two highest personal income
taxes in the nation at 13.3 percent and 12.7 percent respectively. The results of this natural experiment
are clear. Both Texas and Florida have experienced much higher rates of personal income growth from
1990 to 2014.47
15
The statement taxes negatively affect economic growth is almost universally agreed upon by
mainstream economists, even if the degree to which this is true enjoys less consensus. A Tax Foundation
survey of peer-reviewed studies on the relationship between taxes and economic growth found that of
26 peer-reviewed studies since 1983, 23 found a negative relationship between taxes and economic
growth. It is also worth noting that the three studies that did not find a negative relationship between
taxes and economic growth found no measureable positive relationship.48
Christina Romer, formerly head of President Obamas Council of Economic Advisors, and her husband
David Romer, have found similar results. Their study found that every 1 percent increase in taxation
lowers real GDP by 2 to 3 percent. They also found that corporate income taxes were the most
damaging to economic growth, followed by personal income taxes, and finally consumption taxes.49
While the academic and empirical results show that lower taxes contribute to higher rates of economic
growth, there are always some that will not be convinced. Fortunately, economic reality factors into
state tax policy and has led to 15 states cutting taxes in 2014 and is likely to lead to more tax reductions
in the future.
Conclusion
States are on the forefront of breaking down barriers to economic growth. The federal government is in
constant gridlock while the laboratories of democracy are actively pursuing real reforms. Increasingly,
tax reform is becoming a bipartisan effort in the states and the result has been 15 more states reducing
the tax burden in the 2014 legislative session. While these states have moved in the right direction, as
16
have many others in the past few years, there are still many reforms that states can enact to maximize
their potential for economic growth.
There is a competition for people, income, and capital among the states. Whenever a state enacts a tax
policy change (good or bad), it affects other states in the country and especially in the region. Some are
leading the pack while others trail behind, but the success or failure of a tax policy reform reverberates
not just within that state, but throughout the other 49. Fortunately, states need not compete blindly.
Economic history provides a clear guide to what states can do to foster economic growth. States with
lower tax burdens and more economic freedom are the clear leaders over the high tax states. This
lesson is being picked up by more states every year, and that fact should be a rallying call for states to
stop letting archaic tax systems hold them back from achieving their true economic potential.
17
Endnotes
1
Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force, ALEC Principles of Taxation. American Legislative Exchange Council. June 3,
2010. http://www.alec.org/model-legislation/statement-alec-principles-of-taxation/ (accessed December 8, 2014).
2
th
Laffer, Arthur B., Stephen Moore, and Jonathan Williams. Rich States, Poor States 6 Ed., American Legislative
Exchange Council. May, 2013. http://www.alec.org/publications/rich-states-poor-states/ (accessed December 8,
2014).
3
Arizona Exempts Electricity, Natural Gas for Manufacturers From Sales Tax. Tax Analysts. April 11, 2014
http://services.taxanalysts.com/taxbase/stn3.nsf/SearchIndex/86566E946BE6330D85257CB80001D420?OpenDoc
ument&highlight=0,Arizona (accessed December 8, 2014)
4
Phillips, Andrew, Cline, Robert, Neubig, Thomas, and Quek, Hon Ming. Total state and local business taxes:
State-by-state estimates for fiscal year 2011. Council on State Taxation. July, 2012.
http://www.cost.org/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=81797 (accessed December 8, 2014).
5
Fischer, Howard. Gov. Brewer Signs Bill that Factors Inflation into Income Tax Brackets. East Valley Tribune.
April 12, 2014. http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/arizona/politics/article_095a04cc-c1de-11e3-965f001a4bcf887a.html (accessed December 8, 2014).
6
2014 Legislative Session Portal. Florida Tax Watch. http://floridataxwatch.org/research/legupdate.aspx

(accessed December 8, 2014).
7
Lohrmann, Niki. Indiana Governor Signs Business Tax Cut Bill. Tax Analysts, March 26, 2014.
http://services.taxanalysts.com/taxbase/stn3.nsf/SearchIndex/C3779E65E47FF12385257CA70009D5DD?OpenDoc
ument&highlight=0,Indiana (accessed December 8, 2014).
8
Ibid.
Lowry, Brian. Brownback Signs Bill Phasing Out Mortgage Registration Fees. The Witchita Eagle. May 15, 2014.
http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article1143207.html (accessed December 8, 2014).
10
Ebeling, Ashlea. Maryland to Cut Estate Tax As Blue States Fall In Line. Forbes. March 20, 2014.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleaebeling/2014/03/20/maryland-to-cut-estate-tax-as-blue-states-fall-in-line/
11
Freeland, William and Matt Portu. The Death Tax Taxes on Death. American Legislator. September 12, 2013.
http://www.americanlegislator.org/death-tax/ (accessed December 8, 2014).
12
Hohman, James. Proposal 1 of 2014: Summary and Assessment. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. July 2,
2014. http://www.mackinac.org/archives/2014/S2014-03.pdf (accessed December 8, 2014).
13
Koklanaris, Maria. Michigan Voters Approve Replacement Plan for Business Personal Property Tax Phaseout.
Tax Analysts. August 7, 2014.
http://services.taxanalysts.com/taxbase/stn3.nsf/SearchIndex/97CEE85F1424219985257D2D00009066?OpenDoc
ument&highlight=0,Michigan (accessed December 8, 2014).
18
14
Hohman, James. Proposal 1 of 2014: Summary and Assessment. Mackinac Center for Public Policy. July 2,
2014. http://www.mackinac.org/archives/2014/S2014-03.pdf (accessed December 8, 2014).
15
Malm, Liz. Minnesota Enacts $443 Million Tax Reduction Package. Tax Foundation. April 25, 2014.
http://taxfoundation.org/blog/minnesota-enacts-443-million-tax-reduction-package (accessed December 8, 2014).
16
Ibid.
17
Salisbury, Bill, Doug Belden, and Megan Boldt. Minnesota Senate to Take Up Tax Bill; Plan Raises $2.2 Billion in
New Revenue. Twin Cities Pioneer Press. May 20, 2014. http://www.twincities.com/ci_23281134/minnesotahouse-passes-tax-bill-2-1-billion (accessed December 8, 2014).
18
Wilterdink, Ben. Missouri Lawmakers Override Governors Veto, Choose Economic Growth. American
Legislator. May 7, 2014. http://www.americanlegislator.org/missouri-lawmakers-override-governors-veto-chooseeconomic-growth/ (accessed December 8, 2014).
19
Ibid.
20
Nebraska Bill Ties Income Tax Brackets to Inflation. Tax Analysts. April 2, 2014.
http://services.taxanalysts.com/taxbase/stn3.nsf/SearchIndex/629F7A616608E92785257CB1000B822A?OpenDoc
ument&highlight=0,tax,credit (accessed December 8, 2014).
21
Koklanaris, Maria. Nebraska Governor Approves $412 Million in Tax Cuts. Tax Analysts. April 4, 2014.
http://services.taxanalysts.com/taxbase/stn3.nsf/SearchIndex/237941CCE62F631085257CB000078950?OpenDocu
ment&highlight=0,tax,credit (accessed December 8, 2014).
22
Ibid.
23
Austin, Noah. Nebraska Roundup: Lawmakers End Session Without Tackling Governors Proposed Reforms.
Tax Analysts. April 22, 2014.
http://services.taxanalysts.com/taxbase/stn3.nsf/SearchIndex/55385A458A86910885257CC2000700A2?OpenDoc
ument&highlight=0,tax,cut (accessed December 8, 2014).
24
Henchman, Joseph. New York Corporate Tax Overhaul Broadens Bases, Lowers Rates, and Reduces
Complexity. Tax Foundation. April 14, 2014. http://taxfoundation.org/article/new-york-corporate-tax-overhaulbroadens-bases-lowers-rates-and-reduces-complexity (accessed December 8, 2014).
25
Ibid.
26
Spector, Joseph. N.Y. budget gives tax relief but disappoints others. The Journal News. April 5, 2014.
http://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/albany-watch/2014/04/05/ny-budget-gives-tax-relief-disappointsothers/7368373/ (accessed December 8, 2014).
27
Gearhardt, Larry. Ohios Small Business Tax Income Tax Deduction Increases. Ohio State University Extension,
Agricultural Law & Taxation. July 14, 2014. http://aglaw.osu.edu/blog/mon-07142014-1247pm/ohios-smallbusiness-income-tax-deduction-increases (accessed December 8, 2014).
19
28
Center for State Fiscal Reform, State Tax Cut Roundup, 2013 Legislative Session. American Legislative
Exchange Council. November 2013. http://www.alec.org/publications/taxcutroundup/ (accessed December 8,
2014).
29
Streuli, Ted. Oklahoma Roundup: Governor Approves Income Tax Cuts. Tax Analysts. May 8, 2014.
http://services.taxanalysts.com/taxbase/stn3.nsf/SearchIndex/2620D6FA51BBD56285257CD20007A582?OpenDoc
30
Nesi, Ted. RI Lawmakers Budget Cuts Corporate, Estate Taxes. WPRI. June 5, 2014.
http://wpri.com/2014/06/05/ri-lawmakers-budget-cuts-corporate-estate-taxes/ (accessed December 8, 2014).
31
Rhode Island Summarizes Legislative Changes to Corporate Income Tax. Tax Analysts. June 27, 2014.
http://services.taxanalysts.com/taxbase/stn3.nsf/SearchIndex/74586ACD858AC5E085257D0800052FCA?OpenDoc
ument&highlight=0,tax,cut (accessed December 8, 2014)
32
Koklanaris, Maria. Wisconsin Governor Calls for $800 Million in Tax Relief. Tax Analysts. January 24, 2014.
http://services.taxanalysts.com/taxbase/stn3.nsf/SearchIndex/B87D5A622619B8C785257C6A000FA6B5?OpenDoc
33
Blue Print for Prosperity. Wisconsin, State of The State. http://prosperity.wi.gov/ (accessed December 8,
2014).
34
35
36
Center for State Fiscal Reform, State Tax Cut Roundup, 2013 Legislative Session. American Legislative
Exchange Council. November 2013. http://www.alec.org/publications/taxcutroundup/ (accessed December 8,
2014).
37
Wilterdink, Ben. New Report on State and Local Business Taxes. American Legislator. August 27, 2014.
http://www.americanlegislator.org/new-report-on-state-local-business-taxes/ (accessed December 8, 2014)
38
th
Laffer, Arthur B., Stephen Moore, and Jonathan Williams. Rich States, Poor States 6 Ed., American Legislative
Exchange Council. May, 2013. http://www.alec.org/publications/rich-states-poor-states/ (accessed December 8,
2014).
39
40
20
41
Ebeling, Ashlea. Maryland to Cut Estate Tax As Blue States Fall In Line. Forbes. March 20, 2014.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleaebeling/2014/03/20/maryland-to-cut-estate-tax-as-blue-states-fall-in-line/
42
Friedman, Matt. Potential N.J. Gas Tax Increase Comes Up Against Christies 2016 Prospects. NJ.com.
November 16, 2014.
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/11/potential_nj_gas_tax_increase_comes_up_against_christie_2016_
prospects.html (accessed December 8, 2014).
43
Freeland, William. How Personal Income Tax Increases Hurt Small Businesses. American Legislator. November
20, 2014. http://www.americanlegislator.org/personal-income-tax-increases-hurts-small-businesses/ (accessed
December 8, 2014).
44
Freeland, William and Matt Portu. The Death Tax Taxes on Death. American Legislator. September 12, 2013.
http://www.americanlegislator.org/death-tax/ (accessed December 8, 2014).
45
Arnold, Jens, Brys, Bert, Heady, Christopher, Johansson, sa, Schwellnus, Cyrille & Vartia, Laura. Tax Policy For
Economic Recovery and Growth, 121 Economic Journal F59-F80 (2011).
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-0297.2010.02415.x/abstract (accessed December 8, 2014).
46
Laffer, Arthur B., Stephen Moore, and Jonathan Williams. Rich States, Poor States 6th Ed., American Legislative
Exchange Council. May, 2013. http://www.alec.org/publications/rich-states-poor-states/(accessed December 8,
2014).
47
Ibid.
48
McBride, William. What is the Evidence on Taxes and Growth? Tax Foundation. December 18, 2012.
http://taxfoundation.org/article/what-evidence-taxes-and-growth (accessed December 8, 2014).
49
Fruits, Eric, Ph.D. and Randall Pozdena, Ph.D.. Tax Myths Debunked. American Legislative Exchange Council.
2013. http://www.alec.org/publications/tax-myths-debunked/ (accessed December 8, 2014).
21

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2014 Legislative Session

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About the ALEC Center for State Fiscal Reform

Acknowledgements and Disclaimers

Tax Reform in the States

Substantially cut taxes at the state level

Principles of Sound Tax Policy

Tax Cuts by State

Trends in State Tax Reform

The Impact of Taxes on Economic Growth

2014 Legislative Session Portal. Florida Tax Watch. http://floridataxwatch.org/research/legupdate.aspx

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